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There are many characteristics to the known universe and the Earth’s immediate surroundings that suggest something like a plan. It has been noted by physicists that if the gravitational constant were altered very slightly, none of the orbits that make our solar system possible could exist. It has been noted by astrophysicists that the double-planet system of the Earth and the Moon account for the Earth’s stable axis and consequent ability to support life. For an extensive list of these characteristics, go here.

This is a discussion of how such a plan might be possible and what relationship this plan may have to free will.

Suppose we make the assumption that time in the universe has something like a beginning and an end. This assumption is not absolutely necessary to the theory, but it makes the explanation simpler. Suppose we think of the beginning and end of time as two templates connected by strings. The strings that stretch from one template to the other represent the paths of ordinary particles through time.

The points where the paths connect to the beginning template and where they connect to the end template are fixed. However, it is possible to twist and intertwine the strings in any number of ways without affecting how they are connected to the ends.

This is a partial model of how the universe could arrive at almost precisely the same configuration through a seemingly infinite number of differing intermediate processes. I qualify this with “almost precisely” because quantum mechanics prohibits an identical outcome.

The problem with this model is that it provides no explanation for why particles might be expected to follow these paths.

The Higgs boson is a hypothetical elementary particle predicted in particle physics. Two prominent physicists, Holger Bech Nielsen and Masao Ninomiya, have presented the argument that the Higgs boson is capable of retroactive causality.

We can visualize the strings attached to the end time template as being capable of moving from their moorings.

However, the nature of the template is such that whenever the strings are not attached at the predefined positions, this causes the template to radiate Higg’s bosons. These radiated bosons cause the strings to move around at random. The further from their predefined location the strings becomes attached, the more vigorously the template radiates bosons. The closer to the predefined position the strings becomes attached, the less vigorously the template radiates bosons.

When the string becomes attached within an acceptable radius of the prescribed location, Higg’s boson’s are no longer radiated.

The interesting characteristic of this model is that, while it results in the universe arriving at a particular conclusion, it does not prevent free will. Note that the strings are able to assume an infinite number of configurations. It is only the ultimate outcome that is guaranteed.

I will build on this model in order to develop my more detailed description of consciousness and the soul.